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Standards are 8 areas in which Kosovo needs to make progress in order to be functioning, stable and on its way to Europe. As progress in these areas is achieved, life in Kosovo will become measurably better. Standards are key to jobs and security.
WHAT IS THE KOSOVO STANDARDS
IMPLEMENTATION PLAN?
It is a detailed plan that describes concrete actions needed to meet
the Standards. It describes clearly who is responsible for what action
and the time by which these actions should take place.
WHO DRAFTED THESE TWO DOCUMENTS?
The Kosovo government and UNMIK worked on these documents in partnership.
Subsequently both texts were endorsed by the United Nations Security
Council, the EU, the Contact Group and other key international actors.
The 8 Standards were made public on 10 December 2003, the Kosovo Standards
Implementation Plan on 31 March 2004.
WHAT ARE THE PRIORITY STANDARDS
AND WHY THEY WERE CREATED?
Priority Standards were agreed between the Kosovo government and UNMIK
as a way of focusing the government's efforts on those Standards goals
and related Kosovo Standards Implementation Plan (KSIP) actions which
most support “sustainable multi-ethnicity”. They are the
most urgent and important Standards goals and actions (from all 8 Standards
areas) that need to be implemented before mid-2005.
DOES IT MEAN THAT OTHER STANDARDS
ARE LESS IMPORTANT?
No, other Standards remain important, as do all the actions included
in the Kosovo Standards Implementation Plan. The Priorities are meant
to focus on what needs to be done first and what will most support multi-ethnicity.
All Standards will have to be met, though some may take a long time.
Standards are targets at which Kosovo must aim if it is to one day realise
its European future.
WHEN WILL THE STANDARDS BE
ACHIEVED?
Only Kosovans can determine how quickly Kosovo moves ahead.
WHO DECIDES THAT KOSOVO HAS
MADE PROGRESS AND HOW THIS WORKS?
There is a clear process of monitoring progress and reporting on it:
the Kosovo government and UNMIK conduct “line-by-line assessments”.
On this basis Technical Assessments are made - they are written by UNMIK
in consultation with the Kosovo government and the Contact Group. Also,
Political Assessments are included in the Secretary General reports,
which are made by Kofi Annan himself. A comprehensive review by the
international community is planned for the summer of 2005. Following
this, the international community will make its judgment on whether
progress has been sufficient for status talks.
ALL THIS IS VERY TECHNICAL:
HOW CAN AN AVERAGE CITIZEN SEE FOR HIMSELF IF KOSOVO HAS MADE PROGRESS?
The progress or absence of the progress will be clear to everyone. Street
signs will be in all the languages - or they won't. Buses will move
freely through all areas, or they will be stoned. Citizens will cooperate
with the Police to fight crime or otherwise criminals will be free to
roam Kosovo. It will be clear when life in Kosovo becomes normal for
all its citizens, whoever they are and wherever they live.
WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING
PROGRESS IN ACHIEVING THE STANDARDS?
Kosovo citizens and their institutions. UNMIK retains responsibility
for some reserved areas.
DO STANDARDS MEAN INDEPENDENCE?
If Standards are met, the international community will decide to initiate
talks on Kosovo's future status. The results of such talks cannot be
determined beforehand. Whatever outcome of these talks, meeting Standards
will mean a better life for all in Kosovo.
WHAT
WOULD HAPPEN IF THE STANDARDS ARE NOT FULFILLED BY THE MIDDLE OF 2005?
WILL THE TALKS ON THE FINAL STATUS START ANYWAY?
The SRSG stated on several occasions that this process is by no means
automatic. Only a successful fullfilment of Standards will lead to a review
process and if the review if positive, to talks about final status.
WHAT ARE THE STANDARDS IMPLEMENTATION
WORKING GROUPS?
Standards Implementation Working Groups meet every three weeks to check
on progress in fulfilment of actions in the Kosovo Standards Implementation
Plan and to decide on next steps. Progress on these steps is then checked
at the next meeting. They also discuss any problems that may arise in
implementation of the Standards. A typical working group on each standard
is co-chaired by a Minister (appointed by the Prime Minister) and an UNMIK
Pillar head. The group also includes PISG and UNMIK Standards Coordinators
as well as officials from the PISG and UNMIK involved in performing the
actions. Contact Group members are also invited to monitor progress in
the meetings.
HOW CAN I CONTRIBUTE TO IMPLEMENTING
THE STANDARDS?
Standards are aimed at creating a Kosovo where all citizens, of whatever
ethnicity, have the same rights and responsibilities. We can all, in our
daily lives, make sure that we act according to our responsibilities and
that we treat others according to their rights. Many people believe that
the implementation of Standards is up to the government. This is true
only to a certain degree; in fact, there are many Standards that depend
on the actions of every citizen of Kosovo. Standards are about creating
an environment for all people to live and work in Kosovo in peace. This
means welcoming our neighbours home, when they want to return home and
standing up for them when their safety is threatened by others. In our
diversity lies our strength and although we are all different, we share
the same desire to live in peace and prosperity.
IS KOSOVO THE ONLY PLACE WHERE
PEOPLE HAVE TO “LIVE UP TO STANDARDS”?
Every country has its Standards set in the form of laws, which its citizens
have to respect so they can live in dignity, freedom and security, no
matter where they come from and what religion they profess. In addition,
every country wishing to join the European Union must meet the Standards
set down by the European Union, including respect for human rights and
minorities, good legislation, rule of law and democracy.
THE
8 STANDARDS WILL BE FULFILLED, WHEN THE FOLLOWING IS ACHIEVED:
1. FUNCTIONING DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS - The PISG are
freely and fairly elected. The PISG governs in an impartial, transparent
and accountable manner. Media is independent and provides access to information
for all communities. There is an independent regulatory authority to monitor
all media and this authority is recruited without discrimination. Hate
speech is condemned by the media, media regulatory commission and media
commentators.
2. RULE OF LAW - There exists a sound legal framework and effective law enforcement, compliant with European Standards. No one is above the law and anyone can be prosecuted for crime no matter who they are or who they know. There are strong measures in place to fight ethnically-motivated crime as well as economical and financial crime. Anticorruption laws are enforced and both those asking for bribes and those offering them are punished.
3. FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT - All people in Kosovo are able to travel, work and live in safety without fear of attack, harassment or intimidation. All people are free to use their own language anywhere in Kosovo. All people have access to markets, public and social services and utilities.
4. SUSTAINABLE RETURNS AND THE RIGHTS OF COMMUNITIES AND THEIR MEMBERS - Members of all communities must be able to participate fully in the economic, political and social life of Kosovo, and must not face threats to their security and well-being based on their ethnicity. All refugees and displaced persons who wish to return to Kosovo must be able to do so in safety and dignity.
5. ECONOMY - A legal framework for a sustainable, competitive market economy is in place and implemented. A regulatory commission is established that holds government officials and the private sector accountable. A tax regime that sustains the functioning of government, encourages investment, and provides basic services to all such as health care and education.
6. PROPERTY RIGHTS - All people should have the right to own and live in their homes anywhere in Kosovo. The fair enforcement of property rights is essential to encourage returns of IDPs and the equal treatment of all ethnic communities. A system to remedy disputes over agricultural land and commercial property must be established. A property registry must be established and municipal surveys establishing boundaries, subdivision lines, buildings and related details must be completed.
7. DIALOGUE - There must be a constructive and continuing dialogue between the PISG and their counterparts in Belgrade over practical issues such as energy, transport, communications, missing etc. Kosovo's cooperation within the region is well developed.
8. KPC - The KPC fully complies with its mandate as stated in the Constitutional Framework as a civilian emergency organization which carries out rapid response for public safety in times of disaster or emergency. The KPC must operate in a transparent and accountable manner and represents all communities of Kosovo.